Source: Stanton from #Marlins to #Yankees is “virtually done.” Close to finish line. Hear #Marlins will get at least Starlin Castro plus good but not top prospects if completed. Again physical review can still be part of this so nothing final, but close.

OK, we’ve all seen a lot of coverage on Ohtani. One option I haven’t seen mentioned is, why not have him work out of the bullpen for the next year or two while giving your team some time to make a decision about the long-term value of his bat? I know there might be some issues getting him warmed up but, with his limited innings last year, it might be a workable idea that appeals to him in his quest to be a true two-way player.

1. Burch Smith, RHP, Rays
Smith missed all of 2015 and 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery but came back looking like the player who was once an intriguing prospect. Both at the end of the season at Triple-A Durham and in the Arizona Fall League, Smith sat 94-96 mph with his fastball, flashed a knee-buckling 74-76 mph curveball and showed a swing-and-miss 79-81 mph changeup. Though he’s 27 and has had serious arm health issues, Smith is major league ready and has the stuff to help a team ...

Branch Rickey, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, through President Tener, of the National League, today issued a denial of a story…that he would suggest to the National League magnates that all their profits in 1918 should be given to the Government. Rickey says such action would be foolish, and that he is not yet a fool.

I wonder if that story was planted by Cubs owner Charles Weeghman, who (from what I can tell) absolutely did not get along with Rickey. ...Read More...

2. THE 13 PLAYERS LET GO
All of these players will receive a fresh start and some an undeserved monetary boost since presumably at least a few were complicit in the shenanigans. Some are highly regarded and will turn out to be pretty good, so this definitely hurt the franchise (as do future penalties). Many believe infielder Kevin Maitan might need just that, as he didn’t perform to the level of his $4.25 million bonus.

Thursday, December 07, 2017

A two-time all-star with the Dodgers and Marlins, Gordon will move to the outfield for the first time in his eight-year big league career in 2018. Gordon’s plus speed, which helped him to a major league-best 60 stolen bases last season, should help ease the transition, however. As long as Gordon proves he is capable of playing an average centerfield, his bat should help the Mariners immediately. Last season, the Mariners’ primary centerfielder ...

Perhaps most importantly, enshrinement of Johan Santana would not open the floodgates for a parade of less-qualified players to enter. There are very few players who can argue that they fit the “Koufax Exception” to the Hall of Fame — let’s call it 50+ WAR, multiple Cy Young awards, and a career cut short by injury — who don’t probably otherwise deserve to be in the Hall of Fame anyway (looking at you, Curt Schilling and Kevin Brown). It wouldn’t apply to Orel Hershiser or ...

The Twins were unable to make it to the final round in the competition for Shohei Ohtani, but they still found a way to capitalize on the mania surrounding the two-way Japanese sensation.

In separate trades announced Wednesday night, the Twins shipped $1 million of their remaining 2017-18 international bonus money to both the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels in exchange for promising 2017 June draftees.

Jack Dunn, president of the Baltimore International League club, is the first victim of a new baseball law which withholds the payment for minor league players till the time such actually report to major league purchasers.

Last fall the Red Sox purchased Bentley for a big price…Bentley has been caught in Uncle Sam’s draft, so that Dunn will lose both player and payment.

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Evans confirmed the Giants came to terms with the Marlins on a trade for Stanton that has contingencies, including the right fielder approving it. The Giants and Cardinals have been the most aggressive pursuers, though it’s believed Stanton, who has a full no-trade clause, is holding out for his hometown Dodgers to engage in serious talks.

And fans have noticed. On Tuesday, Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan wrote a post asking his readers to vote on whether or not they thought their favorite team’s front office was “very good,” “good,” “average,” “bad” or “very bad.” I don’t have any data from polls 20 years ago, but there is no way such a poll would have been nearly as positive as this one. Let’s go under the presumption that any team that has 51 percent or more of its fans at least calling its front office “average” or better is ...

As crazy as it sounds, Palmeiro is thinking about trying to return to the majors. Part of his motivation stems from his belief that he can still help a club. Part of it stems from the way his career ended in disgrace, with teams shunning him after he was suspended in August 2005 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

“There’s no doubt in my mind I can do it,” says Palmeiro, who ended his career as one of five players to reach both ...

Enraged at constantly recurring stories from Chicago that have Charlie Weeghman, the Cubs’ president, buying this Cardinal and that one, President Rickey slammed Weeghman right on the beezer today.

“I’m tired of this chatter about buying my players,” said Rickey, frothing at the mouth, “and especially tired of Mr. Weeghman’s hot air. He did make a conditional offer for Hornsby, but it was so ridiculous that I gave it no attention. He can’t buy Hornsby from ...

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

Between the remote scents of the sea breeze and the countryside freshness coming from the oaks and wild flowers, Dad insisted to know what a no-hit, no-run game was about. I tried with all my efforts to find a situation related to Dad’s everyday routine to make the explanation easier. He pressed his cigarette against the ashtray and raised the radio’s volume. “After eight complete frames this game is still 3-0. Now Tiant stops by ...

John K. Tener, president of the National League, yesterday announced his opposition to an eighteen player limit for the duration of the war, as suggested by August Herrmann, chairman of the National Commission.
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According to Chicago advices, President Johnson of the American League also is in favor of an eighteen player limit, and intends to recommend such a limit to his club owners next week.
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“I am against any reduction to eighteen players,” said [Tener] ...

New Power Party (NPP) Legislator Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明) said that the baseball association should bear the brunt of the blame for letting Taiwanese players become political tools in China’s “united front” strategy and for giving Chinese media an opportunity to promote the “both sides of the Strait are one family” view without restraint.

China is not a top-tier nation in baseball and positive effects on Taiwanese baseball from the tournament would be limited, Hsu said.